1/8/23 Weekly Congregational Update

/in , /by

Dear Members and Friends of Holy Trinity,

 

Here are this week’s updates:

 

  • I am saddened to inform you of the death of Curt Pennington earlier this morning at the Spartanburg Medical Center.  We keep his wife, Debbie, in our thoughts and prayers, as well as his son, Trey and family.  McDougald Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.  “Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Curtis William Pennington, Jr.  Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.  Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.”   – Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 283
    Curt Pennington’s funeral  visitation will take place Sunday evening, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at McDougald Funeral Home.  A private Memorial Service will take place with the family later.

 

  • I thought you should know that some of our congregational members have tested positive in the last two weeks for COVID, which is a definite increase for us as a congregation.  This particular strand of the virus appears to be very contagious but for the most part, mild. I remind you that if you are a high-risk patient, or concerned about this virus, or not feeling well, please stay home (and worship with us via the internet). 
  • This coming Sunday is The Baptism of Our Lord Sunday.  We will be focusing of course on baptism, using our Gospel Reading, Matthew 3:13-17.  You are encouraged to read over this text and pray over it, specifically answering the following questions:
    • Why was Jesus baptized, if John the Baptist promoted a baptism of repentance?
    • What does your baptism mean to you?
    • How does your baptism affect the way you live your life? 
  • Beginning this Sunday afternoon, Church of the Ascension (Anglican) will be using our sanctuary for worship.  Hopefully you have read my related article in January’s Messenger. Their worship services will begin at 4:00 p.m. and run until around 5:30 p.m.  This Sunday, this congregation will only be using our sanctuary and nursery, but they have permission to use our other buildings, as their needs grow.  Please be mindful of this time frame each Sunday afternoon. 
  • For 2023, we have 2 volunteers to deliver altar flowers to our shut ins, but we are still looking for one or two more people.  The way it works is this:  Each week, those individuals who provide flowers for the altar have the choice of taking both sets home with them after the Late Service, or taking one set home with them, or neither set of flowers home with them.  The flowers that remain are then given to shut-ins in our congregation.  Volunteers do this on a Sunday afternoon or even on Monday.  Names are provided of possible recipients.   Volunteers are responsible for one month at a time  (3-4 months a year depending on the number of volunteers we have).  If you have any questions, reach out to me or Nancy Korn.  Please, please, consider helping out in this outreach form of ministry.  If interested, please let me know.
  • Our next Family Fun Night will take place on Wednesday from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  The meal will be provided.

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Fischer